Analysing Sensitivity Data from Probabilistic Networks

Abstract: With the advance of efficient analytical methods for sensitivity analysis ofprobabilistic networks, the interest in the sensitivities revealed by real-life networks is rekindled. As the amount of data resulting from a sensitivity analysis of even a moderately-sized network is alreadyoverwhelming, methods for extracting relevant information are called for. One such methodis to study the derivative of the sensitivity functions yielded for a network's parameters. We further propose to build upon the concept of admissible deviation, that is, the extent to which a parameter can deviate from the true value without inducing a change in the most likely outcome. We illustrate these concepts by means of a sensitivity analysis of a real-life probabilistic network in oncology.